Latest Articles from the Blog

Lets face it folks, we are burning out. And our kids are burning out. Why are we burning out? Peaches constantly needs to be seen Let me give you an overly simplistic explanation that says it all. A 14 year-old girl named Everly was feeling lonely and so she opened her ipad and began posting on crackbook. She put up a really cute picture of herself with a witty caption underneath extolling her “amazing” Hawaii trip. She had no idea why she really posted that ad, but would probably answer something about ‘being real, authentic, showing the world who she is’ if asked. In truth, she was lonely. So she posted a juicy peach to get some attention, and hopefully something that feels like connection. The responses came, mostly positive, but a bit thin. Some people reposted which means they like what they tasted (at least enough to use it to get their own “likes”). But over the next 24 hours, the “likes” and repostings dwindled. She got some dopamine hits out of it, felt a little less lonely at times, but now she was left holding the pit. Except for a few slimy strands the peach fruit was gone. “Now what? Shit, I have to make another peach.” She stomped across the room, frustrated and pissy. Hold on Everly, don’t throw that away. “Why, its gross!” Because there is a seed in there. “Who cares,” she said and threw the pit-protected seed in the trash. In the […] Read more…

The Edison gene may end up saving the human race. “The genetic form of this disorder is not really a disorder at all.” Dr. James Swanson – University of California, Irvine The Edison Gene In his book, The Edison Gene – ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child, Thom Hartmann offers a fascinating account of why ADHD is so prevalent in our culture today. Just as interesting is his proposal that the Edison gene may turn out to be the key to humanity’s survival. What is the Edison Gene? “There is no such thing as a specific gene for alcoholism, obesity, or a particular type of personality. However, it would be naive to assert the opposite, that these aspects of behavior are not associated with any particular genes. Rather, the issue at hand is to understand how certain genes and behavioral traits are connected.” Dr. Kenneth Blum The Edison gene is not simply one gene, but rather refers to many genes that work together to produce “Edison-like traits.” As of 2003 (the year this book was published), there were 49 genes linked to ADHD. Thom names them after Thomas Edison who almost certainly would have been diagnosed with ADHD in today’s world. Mostly these are Dopamine related genes like DRD4, DRD5, and SLC6A3 (genes that make dopamine receptors and transporters), but there are also genes related to norepinephrine and serotonin functioning too. Variants of these genes have been correlated to different traits. Here is Thom Hartmanns list: […] Read more…

Let’s continue our exploration of the biology of ADHD by now turning to ADHD neurotransmitters (NT). ADHD Neurotransmitter regulation is very complex ADHD Neurostransmitters The general impression with ADHD is that the dopamine systems are not working right, especially when needed during concentration. Additionally, the neurotransmitter norepinephrine is also suspected by some to be involved as well. This is not a single problem in the biology of ADHD, but rather the end result of a number of things that can go awry at multiple levels of NT regulation: not enough substrate to make the NT abnormalities of the enzymes needed to make the NT lack of co-factors needed to support the enzymes (ie. iron, magnesium, zinc) problems with the transport systems involved (for both release and re-uptake) problems with the nerve endings cell membranes (ie. OM-3 deficiency) toxins that can affect any of these systems It is important to say that ADHD symptoms do not correlate with blood levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, but rather reflect local dysregulation of these neurotransmitter (NT) systems in specific regions of the brain. The different constellation of symptoms we see probably reflect the fact that different regions are affected differently in different kids. Different dopamine-using brain regions For example, attention is usually more open in children like “Ryan” (read more about him here). These children are less able to filter out distracting stimuli. But other children become overly focused, and are instead unable to task switch easily without becoming very frustrated. And yet […] Read more…

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